Certain, probable, unlikely and impossible

key notes:

What does it mean?

  • These words help us talk about chances.
  • They tell us how likely something is to happen.

✅Certain (Will definitely happen)

  • Certain means 100% sure
  • It will always happen

Examples:

  • The sun will rise 🌞
  • You will grow older
  • We need air to breathe

👉 It always happens

👍 Probable (Will likely happen)

  • Probable means it will probably happen
  • There is a good chance

Examples:

  • It may rain when clouds are dark 🌧️
  • You may pass if you study
  • A tossed coin may land on heads

👉 It can happen often

🤔Unlikely (May not happen)

  • Unlikely means it may not happen
  • There is a small chance

Examples:

  • Snow in summer ❄️
  • Winning a big prize without trying
  • Finding a toy in an empty box

👉 It rarely happens

❌Impossible (Cannot happen)

  • Impossible means it cannot happen
  • There is no chance

Examples:

  • A cow flying 🐄✈️
  • A fish walking on land 🐟🚶
  • The sun rising at night 🌙

👉 It never happens

🎉 Quick Activity for Kids

Ask students to say if these are certain, probable, unlikely, or impossible:

  • Eating food 🍎
  • Seeing a rainbow 🌈
  • A dog talking 🐶
  • Rain in monsoon 🌧️

Learn with an example

🚀If you select a marble without looking, how likely is it that you will pick a black one?

  • certain
  • probable
  • unlikely
  • impossible

None of the marbles are black. It is impossible to pick a black marble.

🚀If you select a marble without looking, how likely is it that you will pick a black one?

  • certain
  • probable
  • unlikely
  • impossible
  • Count the number of marbles. There are 4 marbles.
    Count how many marbles are black. 1 marble is black.
    Count how many marbles are blue. 3 marbles are blue.
  • There are fewer marbles that are black. It is unlikely that you will pick a black marble.

🚀If you select a marble without looking, how likely is it that you will pick a black one?

  • certain
  • probable
  • unlikely
  • impossible
  • Count the number of marbles. There are 7 marbles.
    Count how many marbles are black. 4 marbles are black.
    Count how many marbles are orange. 3 marbles are orange.
  • There are more marbles that are black. It is probable that you will pick a black marble.

Let’s practice!